Charter 700 This month sees the 700th anniversary of our Charter. Sadly the original document is ‘long gone’ but the granting of the charter by King Edward II to John de Eland and his heirs forever permitted Elland to hold a market and two fairs annually. Of course forever has not meant forever. The annual…
Local History Notes – by David Cliff Part 85 – ‘Save our Street’ The accompanying newspaper cutting shows the residents of Terrace Street, Sowerby Bridge celebrating King George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935, just one of the events held around the area to mark the occasion. The banner above the group of people reads ‘Long…
Local History Notes – by David Cliff Part 84 – Schoolboys….and a Dog. This story concerns St. Bartholomew’s Church at Ripponden in the 1860s, not the present church but the one before it which was taken down in 1868. In those days, it was the custom for pupils attending local schools to attend the Sunday…
Local History Notes – by David Cliff Part 83 – Wharf Street, 1910. This is a view of Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, taken in 1910 from the bottom of Tower Hill and looking towards Bolton Brow. It appears to have been taken from the upper deck of a tram. On the left-hand side of the…
Local History Notes – by David Cliff Part 82 – Farewell to Bogden In the 1920s, the city of Wakefield needed water so it purchased part of the Ryburn Valley, built a reservoir across it and flooded it. That part of the valley was known locally as ‘Bogden’ which, despite its name, was a beauty…
Strictly Stainland From 1930… “at the present time a fever for dancing is abroad at Stainland and a class has been organised by Mr. Jack Hall at the Mechanics Institute. Revellers of all ages have been in attendance and remarks have often been heard – “Are you going to the dance class?” “I’m too old.”…